Jacob Hopes Esau Has Repented After All These Years

Another matter, “Jacob sent messengers” (Genesis 32:4) – why did he send messengers to him? Rather, this is what he said: ‘I will send him messengers; maybe he will repent.’ He said to them: ‘Say to him: Do not say Jacob remains as he was when he departed from his father’s house, as it is stated: “For with my staff I crossed…” (Genesis 32:11), “He commanded him, saying” (Genesis 32:5) – say to him: Do not say that when he departed from you he took anything from the household property.

Rather, [tell him that] I acquired all these as my wages, through my effort,’ as it is stated: “And now I have become two camps” (Genesis 32:11). At the moment that Jacob called Esau “my lord,” the Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘You abased yourself and called him “my lord” eight times. As you live, I will establish eight kings from his descendants before your descendants,’ as it is stated: “These are the kings who reigned [in the land of Edom, before the reign of a king for the children of Israel]” (Genesis 36:31).

He [Jacob] said to them [the messengers]: ‘Say to him: If you are prepared for peace, I am with you, and if for war, I am with you. I have warriors, courageous and strong, who say something before the Holy One blessed be He, and He performs their will on their behalf,’ as it is stated: “He performs the will of those who fear him” (Psalms 145:19). That is why David came to give praise and acclaim before the Holy One blessed be He, who helped him when he fled from Saul, as it is stated: “For behold, the wicked bend the bow” (Psalms 11:2).

What is written thereafter? “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous man do?” (Psalms 11:3). He said before Him: ‘Master of the universe, if You had distanced and forsook Jacob, who is the pillar and foundation of the world, as it is stated: “The righteous man is the foundation of the world” (Proverbs 10:25), “what can the righteous man do?”’ Regarding that moment, it is stated: “Some on chariots and some on horses, but we invoke the name of the Lord our God” (Psalms 20:8).